It had been hell for a number of weeks in the area of St Anthony Street, close to Tigné, ever since the preparations for the pedestrianisation of Bisazza Street, with the resultant traffic all passing through this narrow one-way street. It was obvious that vehicles were not allowed to park anywhere along St Anthony Street, for obvious reasons. Residents naturally were right to complain.

Now that traffic is permitted to pass under Tigné Point, St Anthony Street is somewhat calmer, to a certain extent that is.

It has now been felt that the pavements along this street required urgent servicing, and that is exactly what the relevant ministry is at present undertaking. It is taking ages to finish the job, and it is expected that this could possibly go through to August.

The unfortunate thing about all this, and the main reason for this contribution, is that pedestrians seem to have been completely forgotten. Honestly, the lower section of this rather steep hill is literally impossible for pedestrians, and those with perambulators, to walk through, except by risking being hit or run over by one of the many vehicles that still use this important road. The residents will always find reason for complaining, whichever way the decision goes. But couldn’t the pertinent authority have considered the pedestrian, and not permitted vehicles to park in the few bays in that lower section of St Anthony Street, whilst work on the pavements was in progress? Should parking take preference over the pedestrian especially when there is simply no alternative for these except to use the street itself?

Why hasn’t the Sliema local council, mayor and all, made any contribution to attempt to find a compromise here again? For all we Sliema residents have been witnessing these last months, the entire Sliema local council should, in all fairness, simply resign en bloc. Sliema needs more dynamic material, and this certainly is not what the present Sliema local council is made of. I am afraid that the majority of the residents are of this opinion. Our town has been in a mess for far too long, and the local council certainly is to blame in the majority of cases!

A pavement in the lower section of St Anthony Street, on the side of La Rive, would be of great comfort and would make a lot of sense. No parking of vehicles, and a pavement for the safer use by us pedestrians is what is urgently desired and required.

Sliema council kindly note, and act please.

A.E. Camilleri

Sliema